Children ‘Take Flight’ Page 3

LouisianaNews, Opportunities and Witness of united methodist Ministries

Now www.la-umc.org I Fall 2015 Children ‘Take Flight’ page 3

‘Feed Dat’ ministries page 6 Cooking up a ‘Cultural Gumbo’ page 8

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‘Sandbox’

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is day, I can see the power windmills on top of the hill they call Scenic Mountain – trust me, it Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In is no mountain. At that 19-mile mark, I can smell the food the depths of who I am, I rejoice in God my savior. cooking in my mother’s kitchen. I can hear my He has looked with favor on the low status of his sister’s laugh. I can see my dad pacing back and forth in the living room, peeking through the servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider curtains every once in a while, looking to see if me highly favored because the mighty one has done he can see me coming down the street. It is the longest 19 miles of the trip, but per- great things for me. Holy is his name. He shows haps the best. You see, it is in these 19 miles that mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, I can begin to hope for what I know has always been true – love awaits my arrival. who honors him as God. He has shown strength with That trip has been very different over the last his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant few years. My mother has died. My sister’s laugh- ter is but a memory, as is my father’s pacing. thoughts and proud inclinations. He has pulled the But the sights, the smells, the sounds, the love powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the are still there. I experience them still in a very real way. lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and So, even though the Christmas music has been sent the rich away empty-handed. He has come to playing in department stores since Halloween, we are not there yet! We are just officially get- the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, ting started! just as he promised to our ancestors to Abraham and The sign says, “Christmas – 19 miles” and if you are like me, you are hoping against all hope to Abraham’s descendants forever.” Luke 1:46-56 that something special might happen. That we can know and experience what we’ve always known to be true – love awaits our arrival. Can you see it from here? Maybe you can even smell it and hear it, but we are not quite there yet. We’re so close, yet so far. Hope for We are no different than those who longingly awaited the arrival of the Messiah. They stood on the same edge we stand – 19 miles away, hoping against all hope that the Messiah would bring Tomorrow change, fulfillment and new life into THEIR life. Where is hope for you? Your real hope? For I grew up in far West Texas in a small town, Big today? For tomorrow? Spring. Often when people ask me where that is, I love “Mary’s Song,” or the “Magnificat.” I tell them it is not the end of the world, but you Mary’s song is a song of hope. can almost see it from there. It is a song of reversal. Mary’s song anticipates When I go to Big Spring, I often fly because it and models what God will do for the poor, the is entirely too far to drive from almost anywhere. powerless and the oppressed. I fly of course not into Big Spring – there is no It is a song of hope for all people. It is in her airport there but into Midland-Odessa. joy and hope for a better world that she sings this I have a routine. I fly in, pick up my rental car song of liberation. and head the 30-40 miles east on Interstate 20. I When you look at this story closely, you begin can almost set the car on cruise control and take to see a story of working class folk living in dif- Bishop Cynthia a nap.If you have ever been out in that part of ficult times; in circumstances not too different Fierro Harvey the world, you know how flat and straight it is. from those faced by millions of people today, Big Spring sits on a bit of a hill and there is a like you and me. point in the trip when I spot my favorite sign – Mary, the young mother in the Christmas “Big Spring, 19 miles.” story, is unreasonably confident that the future At that 19-mile mark, I can see Big Spring! If will be better. Her song is indeed revolutionary. it is night, I can see the lights of the town. If it continued on page 15

2 I Louisiana Now Partnering with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Faith Crossing United Methodist Church in Walker sponsors a mobile food pantry one Sunday a month on church grounds. The food ministry has drawn many community neighbors to the church, where friendships have developed between those being served and the congregation.

Faith Crossing UMC

helps the children on After engaging them in conversation, the children “excitedly” told Beth of other kids who lived on Hummingbird Lane that she hadn’t Hummingbird Lane met yet. “When I discovered that an elderly couple from our congregation also lived on the same street, I could not deny my directive to develop a ministry action plan that would reach ‘take flight’ out to these children.” After just a brief visit to the house of Bob and Carolyn Dupre, long-time United Methodists, eth Lawson, a charter member of the vision for a ministry action plan on Hum- Faith Crossing UMC, was serving as mingbird Lane started to take shape. “We car- the church’s children’s coordinator in ried a conviction that the kids who lived there the spring of 2014. Through her work, needed someone to model what it means to be BBeth became acquainted with a group of nine a disciple of Jesus Christ, right in their very own elementary school-aged children who lived on community,” said Lawson. Hummingbird Lane, a street near the church. Through prayer and discernment, it was These children were only brought to church on decided that Beth would begin meeting with occasion. “I quickly realized we only saw these the children on Fridays, immediately after they particular kids on the one Sunday a month that got off the school bus. The group would gather we hosted the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank,” at the home of the Dupres, which just happened said Lawson. to be the school bus stop. e Help came from everywhere, it seemed. The UMC. “But we encouraged her to preach in Dupres offered their front porch. Lawson’s the open air, like Wesley and Whitfield. Beth father offered his guitar for music. Her seven- delivered her sermon to children and adults year-old daughter offered her Bible. And an from Hummingbird Lane as they gathered old friend showed up at Lawson’s house with around a fire and drank coffee and hot choco- $90 that paid for enough five-gallon buckets, late. It was a blessing to see her gifts as a pastor colored duct tape and sticks to make drums for develop as she ministered to these wonderful all of the kids on Hummingbird Lane. families,” said Clifton. The first gathering was held May 2, 2014. “I After 13 months of serving the children of was there, waiting for them with ‘high-fives.’ Hummingbird Lane as a lay member of Faith We asked them about the best and hardest Crossing UMC, Lawson was licensed as a local parts of their week. Our activities included pastor by the Louisiana Annual Conference. scripture reading, prayer and making musi- “The same week I received that license, I was cal instruments with whatever we had. These once again on Hummingbird Lane. A little kids had a genuine interest in the Word of God. boy, who had participated in this gathering Essentially, we created an intentional disciple- from the beginning, came to me and told me ship community that is similar in many ways he wanted to be baptized. I shared in his joy to a Wesleyan class meeting,” said Lawson. with him, and asked him talk to his parents Rev. Warren Clifton arrived at Faith Cross- about it. The very next week, there were five ing UMC in the summer of 2014 to serve as the children who wanted to be baptized—and the congregation’s new pastor. “I was greeted by this group of children who invited me to their Bible study. I had no idea what to expect, but that Friday, I drove to Hummingbird Lane to find a group of children waiting in the road, waving me down to be sure I found the address. I sat in the porch swing and listened to these children read passages from the Sermon on the Mount and watched as they prayed for each other and for their neighbors. We had church!,” said Rev. Clifton. Rain or shine, the group met. The kids would run toward the Dupres’ property whenever they saw Lawson’s car. When school let out for the summer, the group gathered in the mornings to avoid the afternoon heat. Once fall returned, the schedule returned to after- school meetings. When it turned cold, the group made fires and hot chocolate. “When I had to be out of town to attend seminary, volunteers stepped in to fill my place. Some kids moved away and others moved in. Another spring came and we celebrated Christ’s resur- rection with kids who couldn’t even pronounce that word a year before. Regardless of the con- ditions, the Gospel was consistently brought to Hummingbird Lane in a true Wesleyan and apostolic fashion. Most importantly, the intentional discipleship community was main- tained according to its original purpose—to love Jesus and to love like Jesus,” said Lawson. Rev. Clifton explained that at the time, Law- son was taking her preaching course at Asbury and planning to preach at Faith Crossing

4 I Louisiana Now of music allowed them to use the drums they had crafted together. On that day, two children were baptized, one remembered her infant bap- “These kids have already tism and two committed to being baptized in a church sanctuary. “Both United Methodist done much to season their congregations pledged to support these new Christians. Many neighbors and family mem- own homes and their own bers of the children remembered their baptisms and renewed their faith in Jesus Christ. The kids continue to gather and worship on Humming- street with the Gospel.” bird Lane, spreading Christ’s message by the – Rev. Bethany Lawson examples of their lives,” said Lawson. Beth credits a course she took at Asbury Theological Seminary during the spring of 2014 same little boy was asking to be baptized by Lane invited two United Methodist congre- with providing the inspiration for the Hum- me, right there on the street where they live,” gations, their entire street and their extended mingbird Lane ministry. “Dr. Stephen L. Mar- said Rev. Lawson, who now serves as associ- families to come out and witness their baptisms tyn, associate professor of Spiritual Formation at ate pastor for St. Andrew’s United Methodist by immersion on the Dupres’ front lawn. Dur- Asbury, led the course on Tradition and Spiritual Church in Baton Rouge. ing the baptism, the children led the service Formation. The assignment for the course was On June 26, 2015, the kids of Hummingbird with a scripture reading and songs. The choice to develop a ministry action plan that would set forth our application of the worship, discipleship and missional aspects of the early Methodist tradition. By the end of the course, I could see the ultimate goal of ministry is simply helping people to love Jesus and love like Jesus. At the beginning of the course, Dr. Martyn posed one simple question — ‘Who around you is showing genuine interest in the Gospel?’,” said Lawson, who is in awe of how Scripture has inspired the children of Hummingbird Lane. Faith Crossing UMC’s ministry on Hum- mingbird Lane reflects the “vision and preferred future” of the Louisiana Annual Con- ference of The United Methodist Church by “learning and telling the Gospel story.” “These kids have already done much to season their own homes and their own street with the Gospel. I know that one day the Lord will send them into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ. God had the Hummingbird Min- istry in place a full year before Dr. Elaine Heath addressed the 2014 Louisiana Annual Confer- ence in Shreveport, but this ministry is exactly the kind of ministry she illustrated as a dande- these lion thistle,” said Lawson. “Through this expe- kids had rience, I believe that God blesses a strategy that a genuine employs four verbs—identify, engage, equip and send. Identify who it is that has a genuine inter- interest in est in the Word of God. Engage those individu- the word als with the Gospel on a consistent basis. Equip of god. those individuals to lead intentional discipleship communities on their own. And, finally, send them into the world to make disciples of all nations.” n

www.la-umc.org I 5 Maritza Perez, a member of First United Methodist Church in Slidell, had a vision for a food pantry. But not just any Area residents, kind of pantry–a food distribution pantry. line up to receive food items from First UMC’s ‘Feed nce employed by a large food distribution center, Dat’ ministry. Maritza discovered that items that were about to expire could not be delivered by the center. The food was simply being thrown away, but in many cases, Othe items had a couple of weeks left on their shelf life. The food could be donated, if a way could be developed to distribute it First UMC, Slidell and locally in a timely fashion. ‘Feed Dat’ Ministry: So Maritza brought her idea to the First UMC church council and its missions committee. Many met to brainstorm, pray, work and finally build the ministry. In time, Maritza’s vision became a reality and the “Feed Dat” ministry was born. food for With Slidell, La. located squarely in New Orleans’ Saints ter- ritory, playing off of the NFL team’s chant of support, “Who Dat?,” for the name of the food ministry seemed like a natural body thing to do. Through the process of the meetings and strategic planning, church members decided that the best way to share “God’s harvest” was to target “the working poor” and to have as few stipulations as possible on being eligible for receiving food. and soul “Simply, if you could produce an ID, lived in the area sur- rounding the church and needed food, you were eligible. Par- ticipants in ‘Feed Dat’ were asked only to come to the church and pick up what was being passed out that week,” said Rev. t Church and community members celebrate the Karl Klaus, pastor of First UMC. At the first distribution more one-year anniversary of the Slidell church pantry.

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Members of First UMC, Slidell celebrate ‘Feed Dat’ Ministry Day at the city’s Heritage Park.

than a year ago, food items were shared with stand in line, just for the fellowship!” harvest for the Kingdom of God.” 50 family units. Each week those numbers have Relationships are forming between the peo- This life-changing program has received grown, and recently, that number has grown to ple of First UMC and those who are in need, its share of recognition. Slidell Mayor Freddie more than 200 families per week. Thousands of said Rev. Klaus. “It is a joy to greet, and some- Drennan declared it to be “Feed Dat Ministry people have been served, to date. times, hug one another. We have even broken Day” on May 3 during a celebration held at the Every Wednesday morning, a rental panel bread together, offering Holy Communion to city’s Heritage Park with a performance by the truck is sent to the local food distribution ware- all. ‘Feed Dat’ is offering more than just food. Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. The story of house where it is loaded with pallets of food. This ministry establishes and strengthens the the ministry has also been told through a num- Once the items are unloaded at the church, they bonds of friendship between many in the ber of articles in local newspapers, allowing the are cleaned and put away. Food that is damaged church community and our membership.” community to know more about the program. beyond usability is thrown out. Each Wednes- First UMC’s “Feed Dat” ministry reflects the Perhaps most impressive is that a number of day evening, a variety of food is separated into “vision and preferred future” of the Louisiana people who have received food through “Feed about 350 bags of groceries. Items range from Annual Conference of The United Methodist Dat” now volunteer to keep the ministry going. staples like vegetables, flour, cereal and beans to Church by “leading others to an abundant life “Many have found a place to belong, a place to household items like paper and cleaning prod- in Christ.” This vision is directly in line with serve, a place to give back, a place to feel like ucts. Starting at 4 p.m. every Thursday, “Feed First UMC’s mission statement, which reads, they are ‘somebody’…and a place to know they Dat” volunteers gather in a designated room “We are a family of Christ’s servants–sowing are making a difference,” said Rev. Klaus. “It is just off of the church’s Fellowship Hall to begin seeds, growing branches, harvesting for the a beautiful thing that happens when you serve. distributing the bagged items. Kingdom of God.” And through the “Feed Others are helped by our efforts, and as we serve Of course, receiving the items is very impor- Dat” program, the church is also “sharing the others, it changes our lives.” n tant to those benefitting from the ministry. But church members soon realized that people were coming for much more than something to eat. Volunteers not only begin their work by lift- “We are a family of Christ’s ing each other up in prayer, they share devotion- als and pray with those gathered outside waiting for food. In addition, there is a station set servants—sowing seeds, up so that the recipients can make a personal prayer request. “If requested, prayers with indi- growing branches, harvesting viduals are offered right then and there,” said Perez, who is also currently employed as the for the Kingdom of God.” church secretary. “Those prayer requests are – First UMC Mission Statement then emailed to members of our prayer chain. And we’ve noticed that people come early to Camphor Memorial UMC ‘Cooks Up’ a Cultural Gumbo for Community Children

The community of Scotlandville ith funding for enrichment programs having been cut is situated between the Baton from many public schools, Rouge Metropolitan Airport and W and knowing that area families were financially hard pressed to provide them Southern University. Camphor on their own, Camphor Memorial UMC cre- Memorial United Methodist is ated two programs targeting area children— located in this area, where many “Village of Hope” and “Gumbo of Art, Music and Culture.” “Village of Hope” reached out of the residents are underserved. to young children ages five to nine, providing them with academic enhancement through homework assistance and cultural enrichment. Through field trips and interactive workshops, the “Gumbo of Art, Music and Culture” program invited older children ages six to 11 to experience the cultural richness of the Scotlandville community while learning more about history, art, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The programs were community-based events with local artists, poets, musicians and businesses sharing knowledge and providing hands- on experiences for the participants. “The children explored their culture while learning to express themselves, all the while building their self-esteem,” said Rose White, program orga- nizer and member of Camphor Memorial UMC. Southern University, as part of its centennial celebration on the Baton Rouge campus last fall, hosted one of the largest exhibitions of art from historically black colleges and universities from around the country. Not only did the children in the “Gumbo” program take a field trip to the exhibit, they enjoyed visits to the Odell S. Williams “Here and Now” Museum of African- American History and the Capitol Park Museum. Local artists Randell Henry, an art professor from Southern University, and Ronald Kennedy, a retired art professor from SLU, led a workshop on sketching, collages and printmaking. An event focusing on entrepreneurship was held for the children at the Louisiana Small Busi- ness Development Center on Southern Universi- ty’s campus. Representatives of the Scotlandville

8 I Louisiana Now business community led sessions on financial literacy, goal-setting, charitable giving and over- coming obstacles. Participants heard stories of successful business starts by other children through “Awesome Kidpreneurs” workbooks, which they completed during the program. The mother of one of the participants said, “Donna has been so excited about the entrepreneurship program. Learning about kids who own businesses, the I was importance of goal-setting and saving money impacted Don- excited to na’s understanding of finance in see this “Rose White is to be com- us to continue the effort. The Scotlandville a real way. She no longer spends ‘mission in mended for her vision of Library is now providing poetry workshops for all of her money on candy and action.’ this program that introduced children,” said White. toys. Donna’s goal is to take the .50 inner-city children to the areas Camphor Memorial UMC’s ministry to the cents she received in the workshop and of art, music and culture. The pre- children of Scotlandville reflects the “vision open her own bank account!” senters were outstanding, giving of and preferred future” of the Louisiana Annual Poet Dorothy Davis led a workshop on creat- their gifts and talents to children who may not Conference of The United Methodist Church ing poetry, encouraging participants to explore have normally been afforded the opportunity to by “reaching out and drawing people in.” “In their thoughts and to use writing to express their participate in such a fine program. As a member addition to receiving support from the local feelings. of the planning committee, I was excited to see business and academic communities, reaching Connie Lee, a local musician, led a drumming this ‘mission in action,’” said Kathleen Conrad, out to churches of different denominations and workshop that taught rhythms and reading wife of Rev. Clifton Conrad, Camphor’s pastor. to schools within the Scotlandville community music. The drumming was paired to jazz, pop Organizers believe that the “Village” and allowed us to demonstrate our denomination’s and various types of music as a performance. “Gumbo” programs have allowed Camphor motto of ‘Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open At the end of the 13-week program, an Memorial UMC to form a “circle of success,” Doors,’” said White. exhibit of the art and other works created by creating new connections within the Scotland- As with all ministry, those working to “make it the children was held at the Scotlandville Public ville community. “Local businesses that helped happen” benefit as significantly as do the recipi- Library. An opening reception included par- us promote the programs now view Camphor ents of their efforts. “These programs were truly ticipants reading their creative writings and Memorial as an active and vital leader in the a church-wide effort. People in the congregation performing music. Upon entering the exhibit community as opposed to just another church. served as tutors, chaperones, workshop helpers and seeing the program for the opening recep- The entrepreneurship workshop was the first and in so many other ways. They gave financial tion, one of the young participants exclaimed, time the Business Development Center targeted gifts to cover expenses and to provide breakfast “Wow! We’re going to be famous!” children in this age group, and they would like and lunch for the children on each Saturday that they gathered. Our members established connections with the children as well as their parents and guardians,” said Rev. Conrad, who added that funding for the ministry was also provided through a conference-sponsored Fresh Expres- sions grant. Rose White believes that the “Village” and “Gumbo” programs are a living embodiment of Proverbs 22:6. “We are training up children in a God-centered environment, providing new venues of expressions and avenues of learning. We are tapping into the creativity and spirit of each child, fostering the early sparks that can uncover God-given talents, dreams and desires.” Rev. Conrad added, “By expanding Camphor Memorial’s circle of influence to include local leaders and subject matter experts, the children and their parents and guardians have more resources available to them to help each child become the person God created them to be.” n

www.la-umc.org I 9 Churches model ‘playing well with others in the sandbox’

group of United Methodist churches in the Shreveport District has col- laborated to gain that “in-depth knowledge of others” through a Aproject known as the “Sandbox Ministry.” The churches include First, Shady Grove and Wes- ley United Methodist Churches in Mansfield; First, Mt. Zion and Bethel UMCs in Logansport; McDonald UMC in Keithville and Grand Cane UMC. These faith communities established the ministry several years ago with the strategy of sharing conversation and worship and the hope of building stronger relationships between predominantly black and predominantly white congregations. “This joint effort came together at the invita- tion of the Shreveport District superintendent at the time. His vision was that by our sharing The in ministry in mission, these churches could live world is an example of ‘playing together in a larger sand- our box’ that extends beyond our church doors,” parish said Rev. Kathy Fitzhugh, pastor of Grand Cane UMC and First UMC, Mansfield. After several years of collaboration, these “out-of-the-box” thinkers believe that their “sandbox” of churches has been successful in Rev. James A. Forbes, renowned preacher and senior getting to know one another as friends in Christ minister emeritus of the interdenominational and in forming ministries that truly meet the needs of their communities. Riverside Church in Manhattan, was once quoted as Perhaps the most notable joint ministry sup- saying, “When people rely on surface appearances ported by the group is an initiative known as and false racial stereotypes, rather than in-depth “UM Share,” which provides backpacks and new and gently worn uniforms for students knowledge of others at the level of the heart, mind in Desoto Parish schools. Used uniforms and and spirit, their ability to assess and understand monetary gifts to purchase additional uniforms people accurately is compromised.” are collected in the spring of each year. In July, the clothes are distributed to students throughout the parish who are in need. In 2014, more than 300 children benefited from the efforts of “UM Share.” In addition to providing uniforms, many

10 I Louisiana Now individuals involved in “UM Share” provide building among these diverse congregations and hands-on support to teachers, administrators the witness that it provides to the world at large. students and parents in Desoto Parish schools. “Positive relationships and deeper friend- “UM Share” organizers are also gratified by ships have developed among the participating the fact that many previous recipients of uni- churches. We gather our congregations together forms and backpacks now volunteer and assist twice each year—for a shared meal at Thanks- with collecting, organizing and distributing giving and for worship on Good Friday. The uniforms. clergy involved are growing together as we seek John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is to understand the uniqueness of the ministry credited with having said, “I look upon all the of each church represented,” said Rev. Fitzhugh. world as my parish.” In true Wesley fashion, the Congregations share resources and ministry participants in the “Sandbox Ministry” hold ideas, joining together for events that enhance as their mission statement, “The world is our both their congregations and their communities. parish.” On one occasion, Wesley UMC and First UMC, Through “UM Share,” these faithful churches both in Mansfield, celebrated Maundy Thurs- in Desoto Parish reflect the “vision and pre- day service together. During a joint Good Friday ferred future” of the Louisiana Annual Con- service, held at Wesley UMC, the pastors of all ference of The United Methodist Church by of the “sandbox” churches preached a brief ser- “engaging with their communities in significant mon on one of the seven last words of Christ. “It ways.” But equally important is the relationship was a beautiful expression of God’s love to see “It was a beautiful expression of God’s love to see these diverse congregations worshiping together.” – Rev. Anna Jackson

these diverse congregations worshiping together,” together and challenged one another to apply said Rev. Anna Jackson, pastor of Wesley UMC new skills in reaching out to their communities. in Mansfield. “In addition to the important work of rec- Admittedly, the churches involved in this onciliation that has been accomplished, all of unique collaboration initially focused on the churches participating in this initiative have developing strong, loving relationships among seen an increased understanding of one another. themselves. The concept of “UM Share” seemed And genuine relationships are evident beyond to happen naturally as the group worshiped, the local church as our members engage with prayed and spent time together. “Out of these their communities. Resources are shared freely developing relationships grew a collective desire among the congregations to meet needs that to meet the needs of the people of our commu- no single congregation could meet on its own,” nities. We share a deep burden for the need for said Rev. Fithugh. quality education for the children of Desoto The witness of the courage and risk-taking of Parish. Our members realize that poverty is each of the “sandbox” congregations inspires crushing and that education is the key that can and serves as an example of others to do the open new doors for people,” said Rev. Fitzhugh. same—leading the Louisiana Annual Confer- During this past Lenten season, a total of 43 ence toward a better day. n people from the “sandbox” churches gathered to participate in #Converse2015, a conference- wide live stream conversation on welcoming and inviting. The group shared dinner, learned

www.la-umc.org I 11 Bayou Blue UMC and Lucas Prestenback create ‘Lunches of Love’

so faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love

n determining what the project should focus on, Lucas thought about his two “passions.” “I tried and tried to combine my love of performing with a humanitarian action, but I Icould not. But I realized that I had another pas- sion—eating.” So Lucas decided that he wanted to feed the homeless. Many of his classmates sold products and donated the money to a charity, but Lucas Lucas Prestenback wanted to personally feed the hungry. “So I told my dad about my project, and he gave me the idea of asking our church for help,” he explained. Lucas Prestenback, a member of Bayou Blue United Lucas attended a board meeting at Bayou Blue UMC and pitched the idea of the mission Methodist Church in Houma and a student at Vandebilt team helping with the feeding project. With Catholic High School, was given an assignment to the help of the board, it was decided that Lucas complete in his eighth grade honors English class. The and church volunteers would offer assistance to House of Hope, a local faith-based food distri- task was known as the “20 percent Project,” basically bution center. The project would entail bringing because the students were to spend 20 percent of their lunch on two separate days to be distributed to those in need. time in class working on the assignment. Lucas and his United Methodist volunteer team agreed to pack to-go bag lunches that would be given to people after they ate a hot lunch is the House of Hope cafeteria. Church

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Members of Bayou Blue UMC fill bags for ‘Lunches of Love’.

members gathered each time, setting up an Hamburgers’ because it sounds decent, and I hope was replaced by love,” said Lucas. assembly line in Bayou Blue UMC’s choir room. was originally just going to give out hamburg- In presenting a paper to his class about “We put into the bags an evangelism card, a bot- ers. But my church would call it ‘Project Lucas’ “Lunches of Love,” Lucas referenced the fol- tle of water, information on our church’s time whenever they referred to it in the bulletins and lowing scripture: “So faith, hope, love abide, and place of worship, a bag of potato chips, a during announcements. When we decided to these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 New Testament bible, a napkin, condiments and switch to hot dogs, I thought that ‘Lunches of Corinthians 13:13).” a hamburger,” said Lucas, who added that the Love’ would be a better name for the project. Bayou Blue UMC is keeping open their newly group decided to send hot dogs for the second ‘Hopeful Hamburgers’ was a good title before established ties with House of Hope. And Lucas? distribution because “it was one big mess deal- we started, but hope is something you believe Well, Lucas is considering attending seminary ing with the hamburgers!” before it happens. Once the project started, the and a possible career in church ministry. n Bayou Blue UMC’s “Lunches of Love” ministry reflects the “vision and preferred future” of the Louisiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church by effectively “engaging with “On the second trip, we gave a the local community.” On both trips to House of Hope, the team bag to a little boy and he said, gave away all of the bags. In all, 180 “Lunches of Love” were distributed. “On the second trip, ‘Thank you! I love you!’ Those we gave a bag to a little boy and he said, ‘Thank you! I love you!’ Those words meant so much words meant so much to us and to us and made everything all worthwhile,” said Lucas. made everything all worthwhile.” Keying in on the “Lunches of Love” proj- – Lucas Prestenback ect name took a little bit of time for Lucas. “In the beginning, I decided to call it ‘Hopeful

www.la-umc.org I 13 Labyrinth and prayer garden in Gueydan quietly tell Gospel story

More than 10 years ago, First United Methodist Church of Gueydan lost two active and life-long members, John J. “Jack” and Allen D. Martin. Allen was a prominent rose enthusiast and judge of various varieties of the flower and Jack, along with his brother, was a generous benefactor of the Gueydan church.

sing a gift given in memory of the members of the church and the community two brothers, members of the Memo- alike to enter the garden, and to walk and com- rial Committee set about planning a mune with God and nature. The Martin Memo- prayer garden located alongside the rial Garden and Labyrinth at First UMC is an Uchurch sanctuary. Jeri Chapman, a teacher and ever present opportunity for the church to fulfill world traveler, and Lynn Hair, a horticulturist, the “vision and preferred future” of the Loui- designed the Martin Prayer Garden with the siana Annual Conference of The United Meth- idea that everyone in the Gueydan community odist Church to “share the Gospel story” in a would be welcome to enjoy the peaceful setting. beautiful and quiet way. It was determined that a labyrinth would With the help of a mission team from Mis- Cotten, pastor. “Labyrinths have been built by be the spiritual focal point at the center of the souri, the garden and labyrinth were completed churches throughout the centuries and have garden, which includes an “ever-flowing” water in 2014. proven to be excellent conduits for contempla- fountain, lush gardens of shrubbery and white “A garden full of white roses, clematis, tion, reflection and prayer. We have been blessed flowers, and the church’s 100-year-old original hydrangea, amaryllis and other flowers reminds to be able to provide this beautiful prayer gar- steeple bell. the Gueydan community that a garden was den to any and all who come to visit and enjoy The labyrinth provides an enticement for God’s first gift to humanity,” said Rev. LaMarylis a closer walk with God.” n

14 I Louisiana Now bishop’s message beyond what we can see. God opens our eyes to In Memoriam continued from page 2 something new – something extraordinary. Like Mary, we ought to sing a song of hope for today and Rev. Paul Dean Davis As we face the future, we must face it the same way for tomorrow. A revolutionary song. A song with 5/17/2015 – with a revolutionary song in our heart for hope hope for something new, something extraordinary. for a better tomorrow, and hope for a better world. We used to have this wonderful dog. His name Carol Meek Hope is usually built on the tangible things we was Tickles. When he was a puppy and our daugh- 6/29/2015 expect to happen. But the Bible never allows the ter was little, he licked her and it tickled so. Tick- person of God to build their hope on the likes of les was a wonderfully large and playful 65- pound Rev. Wesley Cyprian people, but instead, on God alone. black lab mix. 7/2/2015 Are we looking for a hope that distinguishes itself Every day when he heard me walk up to the from the empty hope that is the world? house, he would perk up from the sofa where he Rev. Retha V. Corrigan Are we looking for hope that humans cannot spent most of the day sleeping. 7/14/2015 provide? He would hear me coming and even in his old age, Are we looking for incomprehensible hope that he would jump off the sofa, run along the windows Sue Ellen Dykes is available only by God’s grace? of our sunroom and greet me at the door with his 7/16/2015 What do you hope might happen this Advent that big ‘ole wagging tail and slobbery smooches. He did is life changing? this EVERY SINGLE DAY! Louise Thomas 7/19/2015 Are you hoping that tonight hungry children in Tickles taught me a lot about hope. What if you this community will go to bed full? and I went through life waiting like Tickles with Inda Mae Taylor Is your song for the poor? expectancy and hope that God would show up in a 7/27/2015 Is your song of hope for the homeless, who are big way? Holding hope against hope that this time not going to a warm cozy home with a beautifully lit we can know what we have always known to be true Olivia Ann Evans Christmas tree, but instead, hoping against all hope – love awaits our arrival. 8/1/2015 that there is room in the nearest shelter tonight? Tickles knew and appreciated, and I believe Is your hope for the family grieving the death of understood, that wonderful, unexpected and totally Freida Averett a loved one? undeserved gifts come into our lives all the time – 9/2/2015 Are you singing a song of hope for the families everyday. A hope that knows that the one he loves living in homes filled with violence? will show up again and again. Rev. Samuel Reeves Are you hoping that at least for one day there Somewhere underneath the hustle and bustle 9/8/2015 might be peace in our world? of the season, for most of us, lies this same kind What are you hoping for? of hope. A burning flame of hope. Perhaps even a Doris Howell This kind of hope is more than a wish or opti- revolutionary hope. A risk-taking hope. 9/14/2015 mism. This hope is the kind worth risking for. A longing for a better world, a more just society It’s a hope that is robust, a hope that pulls people where the social order of things is turned upside Muriel Eloise Daigle 8/28/2015 from the present to the future. This is a hope that is down so that the poor are fed. A hope that love will a powerful force for change. show up again. Rev. Robert Miller Friends, we need people with this kind of hope. Hope holds with it the promise that God always 10/1/2015 We need people of hope that challenge our tendency answers our question by showing up, not necessarily to think that what we see is all there is. with what we asked for, but with remarkable gifts Rev. Thomas Babington As we experience the presence and love of God, that change our lives and our world. 10/2/2015 very often our definition of hope changes. What are you hoping for? There are 19 miles to go. A great example is what we have experienced every Love awaits your arrival. Patricia Gore time we have faced disaster. 10/8/2015 It is experiences like these that have the power In Christ, to pull us from the present to the future. It is way Cynthia Fierro Harvey Marguerite Garrett 10/13/2015

Rev. Thomas Dunbar Louisiana Now is published quarterly. 10/18/2015 Louisiana Subscriptions are $20 for one year, $30 for two years. Now Kathlyn Harris Baker Send subscriptions, news/information to: 11/15/2015 Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Editor, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Resident Bishop Rev. Don Cottrill, Email: [email protected] Provost Phone: (888) 239-5286 Betty Backstrom, or (225) 346-1646, ext. 227 Communications Director/Editor http://www.la-umc.org www.la-umc.org I 15